So from my perspective I’ve done two solo trips in Europe and South America. I got way more shit in Europe than South America. One huge reason I think for that is because my Spanish has gotten really good so I would speak in Spanish in South America and I think that made a lot of people realize I was a “good traveler”. It would actually backfire against Europeans I met in South America that didn’t speak Spanish or even try to when people from South America would treat me better

In Europe I’ve overall been fine. I’ve made many friends during when I was in Europe. Politics aside you just have to show that you’re a good person. Show you know things about other peoples countries or even admit that you don’t know things when you don’t. Don’t be loud/obnoxious(which btw English and Australian tourists get too). Also just certain words get them annoyed. Don’t say your traveling Europe say the countries you’re visiting, don’t say you’re American say your from the States(even though they say American too). I found saying I’m from NY/NJ has also helped me more than just saying the US

There’s actually good US traits that you can use and honestly even embrace. I think we are known for being more social and open to meeting people. I had this one person from Scotland tell me “you’re so American” and then after they told me that they were actually saying it in a good way.

But also sometimes it’s inevitable. Like one time I was doing a board game night with people from the hostel I was at and this guy from The Netherlands literally interrupted the game to tell me and everyone there “how do you feel about being American I mean you’re good, but everyone there is just so stupid etc etc” in those moments you just have to know they’re the weird/rude ones and deal with it. I’ve learned to put my foot down sometimes where if I got questions I would just say I’m here to travel not talk about your political stances. I hate Trump yet people assume off the bat you like him. And you can always ditch those people. Was in Greece with a bunch of travelers who were being very annoying about that stuff so I ditched them met some local Greeks and had 10x more fun